CFD modeling for NOx absorption accompanying with SO2 in wet flue gas desulfurization scrubber based on gas-phase ozone oxidation

NOx removal performance accompanying with SO2 is investigated in a two-step process containing O-3 pre oxidation of NO and NOx post-absorption in the scrubber of wet flue gas desulfurization (WFGD) unit. Based on Eulerian-Lagrangian framework, a comprehensive CFD model is established to describe the reactions of NO2 and N2O5 with S(IV) in droplets coupled with NOx transfer process and hydrodynamics in the scrubber. Taking the WFGD scrubber of 330 MW coal-fired power unit as case study, the results indicate NOx absorption efficiency in scrubber is increased by increasing O-3/NO molar ratio from 1.0 to 2.2 and decreasing reaction temperature from 423 K to 363 K in O-3 pre-oxidation process. The obtained highest removal efficiency is 85.79% for pH of 5.5 or 96.32% for pH of 9.0 in droplets. NO2 absorption is much slower than N2O5 and more sensitive to chemical compositions in droplets or hydrodynamics in scrubber. The overall mass transfer coefficient (K-G) for NO2 is mainly determined by pH and S(IV) concentration in droplets, while the specific interfacial area (a) is largely influenced by gas-droplet hydrodynamics in scrubber. Finally, a correlation is proposed to predict the volumetric mass transfer coefficient (K(G)a) for NO2 absorption accompanying with SO2 in WFGD scrubber. (c) 2022 Institution of Chemical Engineers. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

The NOx removal performance in a wet flue gas desulfurization unit is investigated in this study. The results show that increasing the O3/NO molar ratio and decreasing the reaction temperature can improve the efficiency of NOx absorption in the scrubber. The absorption rate of NO2 is slower than that of N2O5 and is more sensitive to the chemical compositions and hydrodynamics.